Problem Solver: Volunteers Build Wheelchair Ramp

A prisoner in his own home. That’s what a disabled man tells us he feels like every day. He has a newly made customized wheelchair paid for by Medicaid but no way of using it because he can’t get it in or out of his mobile home. Dianne Derby helped set him free and finds out which agencies can help with home construction projects. It’s a 7 On Your Side Problem Solver.

“He’s been diagnosed with degenerative bone disease,“ said Sherry Carlton.

Carlton says her husband, Chad, has a disease that’s eating away at his bones forcing him to rely on his motorized wheelchair to get around.
“It’s like being without legs and not being able to walk,“ said Chad as he described his dependence on the wheelchair.

Fortunately, Medicaid covered the cost of the wheelchair but he had no way to get it inside his mobile home. And on a fixed income of just over $600 a month they can’t afford to build a wheelchair ramp.

“I had contacted some other agencies and they refused due to the price and the size of the job,“ said Mrs. Carlton.

When we contacted The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services spokesperson Mary Kahn told us the state had a program to help build construction projects but she said the waitlist was full.

“It is impossible to say how long the wait may be before a space opens up,“ said Kahn.
“Basically I would have been a prisoner in my home,“ said Mr. Carlton.
It only took 7 On Your Side a few weeks to help track down a team of volunteers to build Mr. Carlton a wheelchair ramp. The volunteers came from the Home Depot’s “Team Depot” and the Fuller Center for Housing. Home Depot donated $2000 to help cover the cost of the project.

“This is one way to give back to the community because they support us through so many years,“ said Team Depot’s Daniel Horton.
Led by Don Wheeler of the Fuller Center, an agency that helps elderly and disabled with construction projects, the volunteers had the project completed in two days.

“I know thank you is not enough,“ said Mrs. Carlton as she stood with the volunteers.
“It’s my angels that come to help me when nobody else would,“ said Mr. Carlton as he looked out at the volunteers from inside his home.

Now Mr. Carlton can enjoy the freedom he so desperately wanted…
“I wish everybody could have help like this,“ cried Mr. Carlton.
“Without ya’ll helping us contact people we could never have gotten this,“ said Mrs. Carlton.

Team Depot funds projects through local non-profit agencies. If you would like to find out more contact your local Home Depot or click here. To donate construction materials to the Fuller Center for Housing or volunteer for their projects call 864-595-4233 or click here.